Couple accused of more ‘slave-like’ acts

Australian Federal Police officers have allegedly uncovered more human trafficking victims that were lured to Australia by a Perth couple.

The pair previously charged with keeping an employee in debt bondage are now facing additional charges relating to six more foreign nationals.

The man, 32 and woman, 37, from Ocean Reef in Perth’s north are already facing allegations they provided false details on a visa application for a foreign worker who came to Australia in 2023 to work as a masseuse at their business in regional WA.

The couple have been accused of mistreating the woman, 36, after she arrived in Australia, with claims they took the victim’s passport illegally, underpaid her and forced her to pay off debts that were excessive or unreasonable.

After further investigation, AFP officers allegedly discovered the Perth couple submitted false information on visa documents relating to the victim and on visa applications for six other people.

Only one of those people came to Australia to work for the pair and was employed at the couple’s massage business for three months in early 2023.

AFP Human Trafficking Team Acting Sergeant Kevin Loermans said in a statement police would allege the couple had repeatedly provided fraudulent information on visa applications to try to subvert immigration laws.

“We allege they aimed to profit from exploiting vulnerable foreign workers who may be unwilling to complain because they have fewer support networks and less understanding of workers’ rights in Australia or the help available to protect them,” he said.

“The AFP’s focus in human trafficking investigations was the safety, health and welfare of victims.

“We urge individuals to be aware of the indicators of slavery-like practices and report anything that may seem suspicious,” he said.

The man, a Chinese national, and the woman, 37, are expected to face the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday.

Their additional counts are nine charges of delivering documents containing false information in connection with the entry and immigration of a non-citizen under the Migration Act.

They also face one count of engaging in conduct that caused a person to enter into debt bondage and one count of having control of a foreign travel document, being a passport belonging to another person.

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